MP queries pub closures

Ribble Valley Nigel Evans MP got some cheer when he asked the Communities Minister how many pubs closed in his constituency in the last three years.

He was told the Government does not collect such data but a new £3.62m “More Than A Pub” programme could help communities buy threatened hostelries.

Marcus Jones, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Communities and Local Government) made a mention of Nigel’s local in his written reply.

He said: “The Government does not collect data relating to pub closures. However, it recognises the clear social and economic value of our pubs, including many of those in the Ribble Valley, not least the award-winning Swan with Two Necks at Pendleton, and is supporting them through a range of measures.

“These include helping communities to buy their locals through the new £3.62 million ‘More than a Pub’ programme; giving communities reasonable time to bid to buy their pub should it be put up for sale by listing it as an Asset of Community Value with their local authority; and freezing beer duty at Budget 2016.”